Top

Her Digital Coffee

Lifestyle Blog

in Productivity · ·

6 Reasons Why You Need to Use a To-Do List

Do you use to-do lists? Ever since I started incorporating a to-do list into my daily routine, I’ve noticed a significant change in productivity. It seems so simple that it couldn’t possibly make a difference, right? But it does. To-do lists help guide us through our day, weeks, and even months, depending on how early you start.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If a purchase is made using these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please visit my Privacy Policy page.

There are many ways to utilize a to-do list. Whether you prefer using a pen and paper, your phone, or computer, there’s a method for everyone! You can create your list in a journal, a whiteboard, an app, or even record your list using voice memo on your phone. Here are 6 reasons why you should be utilizing a to-do list in your routine. 

1) Release Your Thoughts To-do lists are a place where we can release our thoughts. There are so many things that run through our minds each day. We are constantly thinking of what we need to do and sometimes we can go in circles. Rather than stressing ourselves out mid-day trying to remember what important task we’re forgetting, we can rest assured knowing everything is written down and documented beforehand.

An hour of planning can save you 10 hours of doing.

dale carnegie.

2) It Helps You Plan Ahead To-do lists help you plan ahead. We often have a million things to do during the week, both personal and professional. Creating a to-do lists helps you plan your week ahead of time. You know exactly what tasks to complete and where to focus your attention.

Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.

alexander graham bell.

3) Helps Prioritize Tasks To-do lists help us choose which projects to work on and when based on priority. You won’t have to worry about starting an important task too late, not having enough time, or having to turn something in late. You can also choose specific dates for when you want to start these tasks. For example, if you find you tend to have more energy on Wednesdays, you can put a bigger workload for Wednesdays.

Plans are nothing. Planning is everything.

dwight d. eisenhower.

4) Stay Organized Needless to say, to-do lists help us stay organized. As mentioned earlier, there are to-do lists for both personal and professional tasks. When we identify which tasks need to be completed, it leaves more time for us to enjoy ourselves. Spend more time with yourself, friends, and family without stressing about due dates.

With organization comes empowerment.

lynda peterson.

5) Creates a Routine We all know how important routines can be. They help build structure and reduce stress and anxiety. By sticking with to-do lists they can help us create our schedules and remind us of what needs to be done, especially if you’re having an unproductive day.

The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine.

mike murdock.

6) Motivation To-do lists are an excellent way to motivate you towards reaching your goals. When you plan a little each day, you are getting closer to your achievements. When you plan and write things down, you’re also more likely to follow through!

Small steps in the right direction can turn out to be the biggest step of your life.

unknown.

I hope this list was helpful and motivates you to start utilizing to-do lists. If you already do, I hope it encourages you to stick with it. Do you create to-do lists for your day? Do you use apps or do you like writing them down on paper? Will you start to incorporate a to-do list in your daily routine? I’d love to know. For more productivity posts, visit my tag here. 

Subscribe to Her Digital Coffee

Never miss a post! Subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I adore to do lists! I really couldn’t function without them now as it helps a lot Withy fibro fog, especially when it’s bad. It also helps me stay on track. I like to break mine down to “no rush” and “needs done today”, that way I can focus on what’s most important that day.

  3. Great list!~ I’ve been meaning to use to-do lists but keep putting it off. They help a lot when I go grocery shopping so they have to help with daily tasks too! Thanks for sharing this!~

  5. Yes to all of these points! I love writing down lists, maybe too much lol. They help me focus, figure out what’s important and leave me feeling satisfied when anytime I finish a point. Usually, though I have a planner for school so on Sundays I go over the week and see what needs to be moved etc.

    Loren | plaidandsugar.com

  8. I use a to do list everyday and I find that it literally works wonders for me! It also helps me to stay on track which works wonders for me!

  9. To do lists are life!

    I will sometimes complete a task then write it on my to do list just to mark it off! I like the feeling of seeing in black and white what I accomplished.

  13. My husband calls it my ‘planning’. I have lots of lists but I find that the action of creating them, even if just scribbled notes, means I rarely have to refer to them again as they get stuck in my brain. For example, a shopping list I rarely refer to until I nearly ready to leave the store then I just double check I got everything on the list.

  14. These are fantastic reasons to use to do lists. To do lists are especially great for motivation. I use to do lists and I love them. They help me plan, stay on track and what better feeling is there than that which comes with ticking items off your to-do list?!

  15. I totally agree! A to do list is so important! I started a proper one which I write at the start of each month for what I want to achieve this month on my blog, things to learn, articles to write, etc, and it is really heling me grow. I’ve now just done one for the rest of the year and I love ticking things off. Great post 🙂

    http://thetravelvine.blog

  19. The quotes throughout the post were a nice touch! I love making to do lists, especially with how much I tend to have on my plate. My memory is also terrible so writing what I have to do for the day really helps me!

  21. I love to do lists! I find they help me be more productive. I also have to use them sometimes to remember what I need to do.

  23. Very true. I need to start doing this, so I can get more done and be more organized. My life is too hectic. I used to write down to do lists, and my husband would tell me that I’m “doing too much”.

  24. These are all great reasons to use a to-do list! I especially agree with helping with achieving your goals. Thanks for this!

  26. I love to-do lists and often keep separate ones to organize my household checklists aside from my writing tasks. Dedicated lists help me stay on track and know at a glance what I need to work on. 🙂

  27. Love this! I always find that I’m way more productive on days where I use a to do list, and it really helps my organisation. Ticking things off never fails to motivate me too! Thanks for sharing x

Her Digital Coffee's

Latest on Instagram